In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to study cells in isolation so that cells having unique and desirable properties can be identified within a heterogenous mixture of cells. Processes and methods disclosed herein provide for encapsulating cells within a microfluidic device and assaying the encapsulated cells. Encapsulation can, among other benefits, facilitate analyses of cells that generate secretions of interest which would otherwise rapidly diffuse away or mix with the secretions of other cells.

Provided is a fabrication method of print head of MCM device formed micro patterned air gap capable of picoliter-scale droplet printing, and more particularly, is characterized in that comprising preparing silicon wafer 10 washed by piranha solution at step A, stacking silicon nitride films 20 and 20′ up front surface and back surface of prepared silicon wafer at step B, drying after applying photoresists 30 and 30′ to top surface and bottom surface of the silicon nitride film 20 and 20′ at step C, removing partially the photoresists through pre-determined pattern by irradiation of ultraviolet after arranging photomask 40 formed through pre-determined pattern in any one side of the photoresists 30 and 30′ at step D, forming sample droplet storage space opening by removing silicon nitride film 21 contacted to photoresists removed by pre-determined pattern at step E, removing the photoresists 30 and 30′ stacked up the silicon nitride film 20 and 20′ at step F, forming sample droplet storage space 50 by etching the silicon wafer at step G, and forming sample droplet opening 60 by irradiating ultrasonic waves at step H.

Techniques are described for reducing the number of angles needed in structured illumination imaging of biological samples through the use of patterned flowcells, where nanowells of the patterned flowcells are arranged in, e.g., a square array, or an asymmetrical array. Accordingly, the number of images needed to resolve details of the biological samples is reduced. Techniques are also described for combining structured illumination imaging with line scanning using the patterned flowcells.

A detection chip, a using method for the same, and a reaction system. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-cavity defining layer, and a heating electrode. The micro-cavity defining layer is on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The heating electrode is on the first substrate and is closer to the first substrate than the micro-cavity defining layer, and is configured to heat a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The orthographic projection of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers on the first substrate is within the orthographic projection of the heating electrode on the first substrate.

The microfluidic chip and the microfluidic system of the present invention provides a unique integration of a microfluidic chip and a label-free quantification process. The microfluidic chip uses well arrays and dielectrophoresis (DEP) to capture a polarizable agent in a well. Once the polarizable agents have been captured, non-faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (nF-EIS) measurements can be performed to quantify the polarizable agent.

High-throughput methods for screening large populations of variant proteins are provided. The methods utilize large-scale arrays of microcapillaries, where each microcapillary comprises a solution containing a variant protein, an immobilized target molecule, and a reporter element. Immobilized target molecules may include any molecule of interest, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules. The association of a variant protein with a molecular target is assessed by measuring a signal from the reporter element. The contents of microcapillaries identified in the assays as containing variant proteins of interest can be isolated, and cells expressing the variant proteins of interest can be characterized. Also provided are systems for performing the disclosed screening methods.

Inventions covered include methods, systems, and compositions for sample processing, involving morphology-adjustable (e.g., tunable on-demand) functionalized particles. In some embodiments, a method can include distributing a set of functionalized particles, in a first morphological state, across a set of partitions; transitioning the set of functionalized particles, at the set of partitions, from the first morphological state to a second morphological state; transitioning the set of functionalized particles, at the set of partitions, from the second morphological state to a third morphological state, and inducing interactions between the set of functionalized particles and a set of targets, within the set of partitions and according to a set of operations with a set of process fluids.

Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.

Described are systems and methods for particle sorting. An array may comprise a substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The substrate may comprise a plurality of pores defining lumens extending from the first surface to the second surface. The plurality of pores can be configured to receive a sample solution comprising a plurality of particles. The array may further comprise a surface material provided at or adjacent to the first or second surfaces. The surface material may comprise a plurality of materials that are configured to modify a wetting behavior of the sample solution or the plurality of particles at or adjacent to said first or second surfaces, such that one of the first or second surfaces is hydrophilic, and the other of the first or second surfaces is hydrophobic.

A digital PCR device using centrifugal force. The present disclosure comprises: sample dish on which a microwell film having formed microwells is mounted; a door unit for inputting a sample while rotating the sample dish, and controlling the temperature of the sample which has been fractionated in the microwells by means of the centrifugal force and thus performing a PCR process; and a scan head unit for reading a fluorescent signal while rotating the sample which has been amplified in the microwells during the PCR process.